South Africa is incredibly diverse and the breathtaking landscapes are endless. No wonder it’s such a popular travel destination. This also means that your choice of wedding venues is huge, which can sometimes be overwhelming. Some venues will appear at the top of your Google search, but if you want to find those hidden gems you have to dig a little deeper. Here are a few things you have to consider when looking for your dream wedding venue.
Firstly, what kind of wedding do you want?
It can be confusing to see so many stunning venues online. Having a clear picture of your vision and style can really help narrow it down. Create a vision board that illustrates the kind of setting you see yourself in on the special day.
Perhaps you want a vineyard wedding tucked away in the beautiful mountains of Western Cape, South Africa’s prime wine region. Or maybe you see yourself getting married among Africa’s infamous wildlife at a South African bushveld venue so you can take your guests on a safari. You can also go for a modern wedding and enjoy a city view from a Cape Town rooftop. These are just some examples, but there are many more options.
It is also a good idea to decide if you want a venue that is a blank canvas so you can decorate to your liking. Maybe you prefer letting a beautiful landscape be the backdrop for your dream wedding. Have fun and create a vision together with your partner. This will all help in finding the perfect venue.
How long is your guest list?
Think of all the family members and friends you want to invite to your wedding. This will also help you narrow down the venue choices. The space should have enough room for your guests and planned activities. Also, keep in mind that there should be enough rooms for you and your guests to spend the night.
If you’re planning a big wedding, a spacious venue like an idyllic vineyard space or an adventurous bushveld venue might be perfect. If your preference goes to a small private wedding, you might love a more intimate venue like a cozy boutique hotel in one of the old Cape Town townhouses. Or perhaps a small venue in the Karoo semi-desert will be amazing.
Be clear on your budget
This is not the most fun part, but certainly an important one. Your budget will determine if you can book the venue you love. So keep your budget in mind when sifting through your options.
Firstly, if you are booking a venue with accommodation in South Africa, you must know who is paying for what in advance. In other words, will you cover the cost of the accommodation for all the guests or do you expect the guests to pay? Talk to your guests and make sure you are all on the same page.
Different venues have different services. For example, a full-service venue will have all the decorations, furniture, catering, and so on included in the price. This means you can’t bring your own vendors. Some full-service venues might also charge extra for additional services you might need. Make sure to ask the venue what the extra costs are and if it is possible to bring the vendors of your choice. A full-service venue might end up being more expensive.
On the other hand, if you choose a venue that doesn’t include furniture and decorations it might seem much cheaper than a full-service venue at first. However, keep in mind that you will have to rent furniture and decorations for the empty venue. Add these costs to the costs of the venue, and only then can you compare it to the costs of full-service venues. The advantage of renting only the location is the flexibility of choosing your own style and the vendors you are happy with.
Next to the venue, dress, flowers, and decorations there are plenty of small details that go into creating a beautiful wedding, and that will add costs you weren’t expecting. So it is a good idea to make a list of all the things you will need and the budget you want to set aside for each.
Would you like one venue or several venues?
Traditionally, a wedding would have several venues. For example, one for the ceremony, one for the party, and another for the accommodation. Nowadays it is more common to have a wedding at one venue.
Especially in South Africa it is recommended to have the whole wedding at one venue. Firstly, since South Africa is so big, travel times between venues can be significant. If you stay at one venue you don’t have to worry about time, plus your guests won’t have to think about when they can drink and where to go. All-in-all it allows for a more relaxed, laidback wedding.
If you choose to stay at one venue, make sure it has enough space for all the different events during a wedding: welcome dinner, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, party, and goodbye brunch. Having the events in different spaces at the same venue will make it easier for your vendors to set up without disturbing your guests.
The best way to pay for your venue in South Africa
Generally, most venues in South Africa will have no problem accepting payment via credit card or an online banking transfer. These are also the recommended methods of payment. Smaller venues might require you to pay with cash or via a personal cheque.
It is always best to check the payment options upfront. You should request a receipt and/or contract of agreement wherever possible. As in any country where crime exists, be extra careful about giving personal credit card details and social security information to unknown suppliers or over the phone.
Be mindful of venue regulations
Do some research on the regulations at the venues you have your eye on. For example, in Cape Town many venues will have rules when it comes to playing music. Since it is a residential area, only a certain amount of decibels is allowed.
Venues might also have regulations about how the exterior and interior should look. For example, sometimes you are not allowed to add decorations in certain places of the venue exterior/interior in order to avoid any damage to the building. Additionally, some will have guidelines on what vendors are allowed and when they can set up.
So check all these regulations before you select a venue. Usually you can find them on the website of more popular venues. Talk about the things you want to do at your wedding with the people at potential venues. I know from experience that most of the time an agreement can be reached.
Does it all sound a little overwhelming? A wedding planner will help you
We believe it’s very important to talk to a wedding planner that knows the country, the people, and the culture. It can be difficult to arrange a wedding venue in South Africa if you are not aware of how things are done in the country (things are done a bit differently here).
You want your whole wedding experience to be fun and stress-free. A wedding planner will be there for every step of the process, they know what to pay attention to, and can find the hidden gems. They will keep your wishes and visions in mind so you can have the wedding you always dreamt of!
Now for the best part, go visit some venues
A venue might look amazing online, but you won’t know if it’s your dream venue without seeing it in person. I always recommend my couples to visit their top three venues.
Feel the energy, take it all in, and wander around envisioning your dream wedding. Some venues will give you that excited butterfly feeling, while others simply won’t. That is why it is so important to see and feel the space. And it’s super fun to go see the venues together with your partner of course!